Suzette Cook, Mayor of Kent and honorary chair of last night’s event (center), with RTC student speakers Annmarie Champness (left) and Anastasia Corman (right).

Four hundred community members completely filled Renton Technical College’s Campus Center last night to enjoy an “Evening in the Caribbean,” a fun-filled fundraiser for RTC’s scholarship foundation. The Foundation had to actually cut off ticket sales last week, as they were bumping into the Fire-Marshall’s capacity of the main building… a nice demonstration of the community support for the college.

This was a particularly special event for Cathy and me, as our daughter-in-law Anastasia was one of the two student speakers at the event. Both Anastasia and fellow-student-speaker Annmarie Champness shared captivating stories about the strong positive effect RTC has had on their lives.

The event was emceed by RTC’s trustee Kirby Unti, who has been a strong advocate for the college during his more than thirty years in Renton. College President Steve Hanson and Foundation President Terry Higashiyama also participated in the evening program.

Public officials were present representing Renton, Kent and Newcastle, along with State Legislator (and devoted education advocate) Marcie Maxwell. Many RTC trustees and former trustees (such as my council colleague Rich Zwicker) were also enjoying the evening. The Boeing Company was the Premier Event sponsor.

The evening was a great fund-raising success. In addition to proceeds from ticket sales and the silent auction, donors pledged many thousands of dollars to help fund student scholarships and support the foundation.

Dozens of volunteers helped put the event together, gather donations for the auction, sponsor tables, etc and I can’t name them without running the risk of leaving someone important out. But I do want to give a shout-out to RTC foundation chair Terry Higashiyama. Terry does an expert, super-energetic job of heading our City of Renton Community Services Department (covering all parks, trails, community classes, and community support services), and she still finds time to volunteer all over town including leading the RTC Foundation– which involved directly overseeing this fund-raising event this year. She makes amazing contributions to our community– it’s no wonder she was named one of Renton’s 2010 Outstanding Citizens.

I wish to express my gratitude to the members of the RTC foundation who dedicate so much time to helping students reach their potential, and to all of the volunteers who made this years fundraiser so fun and successful. My family had a wonderful time.

Here are some more photos from the event:

Left to Right, Master of Ceremonies Kirby Unti, speaker Anastasia Corman, Kenny Corman (my son and Anastasia’s husband), and RTC College President Steve Hanson.

RTC Student Annmarie Champness shares her touching story about RTC

Cathy and me

Click here to see more photos from the event